Golf bag



H. MOBBS May 7, 1935.

GOLF BAG Filed May 29, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 p M n m f MM w M WA Q my mfl a, mmi @100.

N ME H. MOBBS GOLF BAG 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 29, 1931 a 1 0 m M w M w m b .w H r v E- 1 m m mi M NH. mnH a w ME m ATTOIP/Vf/F H. MOBBS May 7, 1935.

GOLF BAG Filed May 29, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig. 8.

Fig.1).

/NVNTOR HerberT M o bbs 5y MMIW ATTORNEXS Patented May 7, 1935 UNITED STATEd GOLF BAG Herbert Mobbs, Northampton, England Application May 29, 1931, Serial No. 541,015 In Great Britain .i'une 4, 1930 20 Claims.

This invention has reference to improvements in' or relating to golf bags.

The shoulder straps-usually made of leather or canvas-with which golf bags are provided are made limp enough so that they may lie snugly against, and not provide or constitute an objectionable projection from, the bag when this is stored in the players locker or is in transit or is held in stock at the dealers, at all of which times a considerable rejection from the bag would be seriously objectionable. That is to say the limpness of the shoulder strap is of great advantage when the bag is not in use. On the other hand when the bag is in use the limpness of the strap is a great disadvantage because owing to its collapsing when the player releases his hold on it after lowering the bag by it to the ground, it necessitates the players stooping down to pick up his bag after every stroke played by him.

This frequent stooping down, during the playing of even a single round, to pick up the bag is not only irksome but it entails a physical strain on many players which they would prefer to avoid and various constructions of shoulder straps for golf bags and devices to be used in conjunction therewith have therefore been proposed to obviate this, but none has met with. V

, comparative rigidity. The full lines Fig. 1 show measurable practical success. 7

I have carried out many experimentsand tests which go to show that the problem requires various considerations to be met in addition to providing for the avoidance of stooping to pick up the bag, if the bag is to be acceptable by golfers.

For instance the shoulder strap must fit over' and hang as easily and comfortably from the shoulder as do the leather and canvas shoulder straps at present in use. The bag when carried suspended from the shoulder must be at the correct altitude for the easy and convenient withdrawal of a desired club as the player moves to take up his stance. The bag with its strap should occupy no appreciable more space when not in use than do the bags heretofore generally use. There must be no obvious mechanical device attached to the bag additional to the shoulder V strap for manipulation or adjustment by the player to maintain the strap in desired position. The bag as a whole should be adapted to be handled in every way as are the bags heretofore generally in use, and withal the bag as a whole should not depart from the generally accepted aesthetic appearance of golf bags heretofore generally in use. 7

The main object of my invention is the pro- (01. lac-1.5)

vision of a golf bag and a shoulder strap therefor'possessing the desiderata above set out.

To this end an important feature of my invention consists in a golf bag the shoulder strap of which has its end parts comparativelyrigid and the part intermediate of these very supple or flexible.

My invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings in which Figs. 1 and 2 are a side and front elevation respectively of a golf bag incorporating my improvements and Figs. 8 to 12 illustrate details to be referred to.

The golf bag illustrated is of very usual construction it comprising a bag i2 that has a. stiff rim 13 at its front or open end and a strong closure 555 at the opposite end and metal or other rigid strips it, it to maintain the bag against collapsing in the lengthwise direction.

In Fig. l the shoulder strap is shown diagrammatically to illustrate the feature above referred to of my invention, that is to say it is shown to be comprised of two end portions 131. b which are ivotally attached at the usual points to the golf bag, the said parts being indicated by double lines, and a part 0 intermediate of these, indicated by a single line, the single line denoting great flexibility or suppleness, the double lines the strap (approximately) as it appears when the bag is slung over the players shoulder and the dot and dash lines show (approximately) the form the strap takes when the player, in the usual manner. is lowering the bag to the ground by the strap.

Although the parts a and b of my improved shoulder strap may be made to be quite rigid or inflexible, in practice they will probably usujally be made so that they are a little more than just stiff enough not to collapse or bend when the strap is in the raised position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. I

,In my experiments and tests I have found it preferable to make said end parts so that they possess gradually diminishing stiffness in the direction from their respective extreme outer ends towards the points where they merge into the intermediate very supple part c' of the strap.

For example the strap may be made in the form of a fiat tube M, Fig. 8, having extending tongues a b at its ends. Fig. 7 is a perspective View of a short piece of the tubular strap showing it to be made of two strips of material e. g. leather or canvas, which are sewn together at their edges. Into each end of the tubular strap I insert a tapering strip of spring steel, such as is shown on a larger scale in Fig. 5, or a strip having a stepped gradation in its width as shown at'28 in Fig. 6, whereby the end portions a b of the shoulder strap will have'imparted to them the desirable stiffness even when the strips are no thicker than about 0.010 of an inch and having a width at their wider ends of about one half an inch.

Increased stiffness may be obtained, if desired, without employing strips that are either thicker or wider than those above described, by making the strips either concave or convex in cross sectional shape, and the desirable gradation in the stiffness may in this case be obtained by making the concavity or convexity of gradually diminishing depth from their extreme outer ends towards their opposite ends where they may be made quite flat.

The means, however, which I have thus far found to be preferable for imparting the requisite degree of stiifness to the parts a b of the shoulder strap consists of a pair of laminated steel springs (one for eachend of the strap) made from strips of steel not more than 0.010 of an inch in thickness and one half an inch in width.

' One of these laminated springs is illustrated at 30 in side elevation and plan respectively in Figs. 3 and 4 and is shown to be made of two strips one longer than the other. The shorter strip I bend or double upon itself at such a point along its length so that it forms the laminae 32 and 34, and the longer strip I double upon itself to form the laminae 3S and 38.

The bends of these strips and in similar fashion the ends of the strips 26, 28, when employed,

pressure upon the strips within it.

The studs 48 are prevented from endwise movement in their supporting lugs by forming them with annular grooves 66 in such positions along the studs that a small wire spring ring 'may be sprung into each of these grooves and will then abut snugly against the outer faces of the lugs 42. Between the lugs 42 and the stiffening strips, I may insert washers 55 and to prevent the pins 40 rotating in their bearings I may provide each of them witha pin 44 to be engaged in a slot provided for this purpose in one of the supporting lugs 42.

In order to ensure the desirable suppleness or great flexibility in the part c of my improved shoulder strap regard must be had to the character of the material available from which to make the strap.

If this be very limp material such for instance as thin canvas or very thin and soft leather, it will be desirable to insert a strip or maybe more than'one strip of thin spring steel say of 4 thousandths of an inch in thickness and about %ths or one half inch in width. When the material of which the strap is made is not so 'very limp as in the case of strong canvas or of a close compact grained leather, it will usually be possible to dispense with any added resilient stiffening mate rial or strip at the part c of the strap because by reason of the fact that the part c is in the form more or less of an arch when the strap is in the erect position about as shown in Fig. 1, there is no fear of the straps collapsing at this part if not made of very flimsy or limp material. In similar way some regard will also be had as to the character of the material of which the strap is made when determining the dimensions etc. of the means by which the stiffening of the end portions a b is to be effected.

I may dispense altogether with steel, whalebone, cane or other strips of suitable flexible material for imparting stiffness to the end portions a b of the strap by building up these parts of a plurality of layers of the material of which the strap is made or composed, provided the material is not altogether of too flimsy or limp character.

For example I may cut the strip of material so that near to each of its ends it has outwardly projecting and longitudinally tapering wings 24a, 241), Fig. 9, which wings I fold over the central parts a b of the strap about as shown in Fig. 10 and secure them in position by sewing or otherwise. It will be seen that by this method of procedure the outer end portipns of the stiffened parts will comprise three thicknesses of material, say leather or canvas, whereas the inner end portions of said stiifened'parts will comprise two thicknesses of material and in addition regard must be had to the fact that said folded-over parts taper lengthwise so that as a result the stiffened parts will have graduated stiffness being most stiff at the extreme outer ends and then having gradually decreasing stiffness until they merge into the intermediate very supple shoulder engaging part c of the strap.

The tongues a b of the straps are for securing the ends of the straps to the bag, they being wrapped or folded around the studs 40 and the eyes of the stiffening strips when employed, and then secured by sewing or otherwise to the main part of the strap.

In any case the ends of the strap will be connected in suitable manner to the studs 40 because it is this and not the inserted stiffening material that carries the weight of the bag unless a resilient steel strip extends for the full length of the strap and is secured at its ends to the two studs 40. I

If desired the bag may be provided with means to prevent its rolling over in a strong wind when lying on' the ground and for this purpose I may provide the front end of the bag with feet 18 that are pivotally carried by lugs 20 on the bag, the feet being spaced apart a distance so that when the bag is not in use they may be folded back (as indicated in broken lines in Fig. 1) and will just fit snugly against this. Also the feet will preferably be made long enough to keep the club heads from contact with the ground when the bag is on the ground. At the opposite end I may provide comparatively short feet 22.

When the bag is not in use the parts a b of the strap will be laid against the bag when the very flexible part 0 will adapt itself and lie snugly against the bag about as shown in broken lines in Fig. 1.

If the part b of the strap be made comparatively longer than is shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings it may be necessary to arrange for it being adapted to be folded more or less near to its end. In such a case I may make the stiffening strip of two parts about as shown at 26 in Fig. 12 and provide a slide piece or coupling 53 on the outside of the strap so that by sliding said coupling into the position shown in full lines against a stop pin54 on the strap, whenthe bag is about to beused, thecoupling will extend over both the adjacent ends of the stiifening strip 26 and will maintain these in alignment so'that they serve as a single stiffening strip extending the full length. When however the'bag is not being used the sliding coupling is moved against the stop pin as indicated in dotted lines when the end portion of the strip 26 will be made free and the strap allowed to-be bent tr e part intermediate of the adjacent ends of the strip 25. The stiffening strips may be secured inposition by pins 555 or otherwise. i

It is to be understood that the scope of myinvention isnot limited to the means above described for ensuring that the parts a b of strap are maintained in straight formation when the strap is in the raised position.

Also I desire it to be understood that although in Fig. l I have shown the end partsa b to be at tached to the bag at about the usual positions the advantages derivable from the use of my invention may be obtained even when the said ends are secured at other points e-. g. closer together, it being desirable usually to attach them at such points that when lowering and lifting up the bag as well as wh n carrying it slung from the shoulder, it will be slightly inclined to the horizontal with the forward open end higher than the opposite end to prevent clubs sliding out.

It will be understood'by golfers and others that when a player is about to lay down his bag preparatory to playing a stroke, he usually takes hold of the strap with one hand at a part about midway of its length and then lowers the bag to the ground. When the bag reaches the ground the part held by the player will be at the highest possible altitude within the compass of the straps length as shown by the dot and dash line 0' Fig. 1 and the end parts of the strap will be straight and inclined towards each other. Precisely the same is the case when my improved strap is employed with this important difference in the results obtained, viz. that whilst a strap made as heretofore usual will collapse the moment it is released, a strap made in accordance with my invention will remain erect with the part c at the highest altitude as shown at c Fig. 1 and therefore most easily within the reach of the player without his stooping when he again desires to pick up his bag;

Further, notwithstanding that my improved strap is made to be stiffer at some parts than at others so that it will stand erect as already described it nevertheless can be moved out of the way (without requiring to be detached at either end) when the bag is not in use so as not to form an objectionable projection from the bag.

A golf bag provided with a shoulder strap in accordance with my invention has the appearance of, may be used in a similar manner as, and possesses the advantages of, those heretofore in general use whilst avoiding their disadvantages, and I find that the provision of a shoulder strap made according to my invention does not very materially increase the cost of the complete bag.

Although it is very desirable to have the ends a b of my improved shoulder strap permanently secured to the bag so that all the advantages derivable from the use of my invention may be obtained, the main advantages may yet be obtained even though, for the purpose of securing the strap lengthwise against the bag when this is not in use, the end I) of the strap were made to be easily detachable from the position about midway 1. In or for golf bags, ashoulder strap having in combination, end portions provided with ,a resilient strip of graduated flexibility and a relatively supple shoulder engaging part intermediets of said end portions.

2. In or for golf bags, a shoulder strap. the end portions of which are provided with laminated spring strips to impart stiffness to said parts and a shoulder'engagmg'part intermediate of said end parts which is relatively supple.

3. A golf bag provided with bearings, studs carried by said bearings,a shoulder strap secured at its ends to the studs and having its end por tions of substantial length "made stiffer than a shoulder engaging part of the strap intermediate of said end portions.

i.'A golf bag having supports to carry studs, a shoulder strap pivotally secured at its ends to said studs, means to render a substantial length of the ends of the strap stifi", a supple shoulder engaging part intermediate of said ends, and frictionally operating means whereby movement of the said ends about the studs is resisted.

5. A golf bag having in combination supports to carry studs, a shoulder strap pivotally secured at its ends to said studs, means whereby movement of said ends about the studs is resisted, and means whereby a substantial length of the end portions of the strap are stiifened.

6. A golf bag having in combination supports 7 to carry studs, a shoulder strap having a limp shoulder engaging part pivotally secured at its ends to said studs, and means, also secured to said studs to stiffen the portions of the strap extending from the limp part to the respective ends of the strap.

7. A golf bag having in combination, bearings for the ends of a shoulder strap, a shoulder strap having a supple shoulder engaging part secured at its ends to said bearings, and means comprising stiffened end portions whereby the strap is held distended when the player lowers the bag to the ground by it and releases his hold upon it.

8. A golf bag having in combination bearings for the ends of a shoulder strap, a shoulder strap having a supple shoulder engaging part, and means comprising stiffened end portions to prevent the straps collapsing when the player lowers the bag to the ground by it and releases his hold upon it.

9. A golf bag having in combination bearings for the ends of a shoulder strap, a shoulder strap having a supple shoulder engaging part and relatively stiff end parts secured at its ends to said bearings, and means to resist movement of said end parts in relation to the bearings.

10. A golf bag having in combination bearings for the ends of a shoulder strap, a shoulder strap of graduated flexibility secured at its ends to the bearings, means to resist movement of said end parts in relation to the bearings and means to prevent rolling of the bag when laid upon the a an end portion of considerable length provided with a stiffening material, a friction device at the free end of said portion, and a relatively limp shoulder engaging portion forming a continuation of said end portion.

12. In or for golf bags, a shoulder strap having in combination a supple shoulder engaging part and relatively stiff parts ofsubstantial length extending from the ends of the shoulder engaging part.

13. In or for golf bags, a shoulder strap comprising a supple shoulder engaging part and parts of gradually increasing stiffness, and having substantial length, extending from said shoulder engaging part.

14. In or for golf bags, ashoulder strap an end portion of which is provided with a friction device and a resilient strip graduated in flexibility.

15. For golf bags, a shoulder strap having in combination, tongues at its ends, stiffened portions adjacent to said tongues, and a relatively limp portion between said stiffened portions.

16. A golf bag having in combination, supports to carry studs, a shoulder strap pivotally secured at its ends to said studs, said shoulder strap having a limp shoulder engaging part about midway of its length, a relatively stiff part extending from one end thereofto the limp part, and a friction device operating to resist movement of the stiff part of the strap about its stud.

17. A golf bag having in combination supports to carry studs, a shoulder strap pi'votally secured at its ends to said studs, means whereby movement of said ends about the studs is resisted and laminated reinforcements on said strap ends whereby the end portions of the strap are stiffened.

18. A golf bag having in combination supports to carry studs, a shoulder strap pivotally secured at its ends to said studs, means whereby movement of said ends about the studs is resisted and a resilient member of graduated stiffness on said strap ends whereby the end portions of the strap are stiffened.

19. A golf bag having in combination bearings for attachment thereto of the ends of a shoulder strap, a shoulder strap secured at its ends to said bearings said strap having a limp shoulder engaging part and a relatively stiff portion extending from said limp portion to the end thereof, means to resist movement of the relatively stiff portion in relation to its bearing and movably carried means to retain the bag against rolling when laid on the ground.

V 20. In or for golf bags, a shoulder strap of flexible material having an end portion of substantial length made up of several thicknesses of the flexible material of which the shoulder strap is made, which several thicknesses are graduated in their dimensions.

HERBERT MOBBS. 

